When we speculated T-Mobile might call their new HSPA+ network “4G” they were very quick to point out that was not the case (yet). Instead, T-Mobile chose to inform us of their network upgrade schedule and said they would “integrate HSPA+ into its 3G network with broad national deployment planned for this year.”
Now T-Mobile has apparently decided to refer to HSPA+ as “Very Fast Mobile Web” according to some leaked documents on TmoNews. The flavor of HSPA+ that T-Mobile is using maxes out at 21 Mbps and they claim it will offer “home broadband like speeds on the go”.
The first device from T-Mobile to support HSPA+ will be the webConnect Rocket which launches on March 14. Initially, the device will only be sold in pilot markets where HSPA+ service is lit up. We believe this is part of the backhaul upgrade that T-Mobile revealed last month.
The pilot markets for the HSPA+ webConnect Rocket include:
- Dallas, TX
- Miami, FL
- Los Angeles, CA
- Chicago, IL
- and maybe Philadelphia, PA (current test market for HSPA+)
Pricing information for the webConnect Rocket and Very Fast Mobile Web data plans is currently unavailable.
Very Fast Mobile Web = HSAP+
Android fans should pay attention because T-Mobile is likely to launch a HSPA+ handset by the end of the year.
Huawei recently announced the world first HSPA+ Android smartphone model number U8800. The Huawei U8800 features the Android 2.1 operating system, integrates HSPA+ capabilities to support downlink speeds of up to 14 Mbps, and has a 3.8-inch wide screen.
We have no evidence this phone will come to the U.S., but T-Mobile USA already sells non-Android Huawei phones (like the Tap) in their stores today. Huawei is hoping to bring Android phones to the U.S. and this could be an opportunity for them.
Huawei U8800 HSPA+ Android phone.
